Brewers injury news: Wily Peralta to DL; Jonathan Lucroy ready for rehab
By Phil Watson
After holding out hope that right-hander Wily Peralta could make his next scheduled start on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers placed the big right-hander on the disabled list Monday with a left rib-cage strain.
More from Milwaukee Brewers
- Milwaukee Brewers are making a bold bet with Jackson Chourio
- 5 Pitchers Milwaukee Brewers Should Trade For
- Milwaukee Brewers: 3 trade packages the New York Mets could make for Corbin Burnes
- This former player will eventually manage the Milwaukee Brewers
- Milwaukee Brewers: 3 trade packages the Baltimore Orioles could offer for Corbin Burnes
Peralta left his start Friday in Atlanta after four innings with tightness in his ribs. After he was examined at Miller Park Monday morning, the Brewers made the roster move. Peralta is expected to miss four to six weeks.
It was a mixed day for Brewers injury news, as reports on injured catcher Jonathan Lucroy indicate he’s within a week of being back in the lineup.
“It surprised me,” Peralta told MLB.com. “I didn’t think it was going to be that [bad], but it’s more than they expected. I didn’t think I’d be on the DL. Four to six weeks is a long time to be out. It’s tough, but it is what it is and I have to move forward and help them try to finish the season strong.”
Peralta has been almost freakishly durable throughout his career, save for a lost 2007 season after Tommy John surgery while in the minor leagues.
He missed one start late in 2012 due to biceps tendinitis and had a start pushed back in 2013 because of a sore hamstring, but Wednesday will mark his first missed start since taking a full-time spot in the Brewers rotation in the spring of 2013, a span of 73 consecutive outings.
He’s had a rough go for much of 2015, going 1-5 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.426 WHIP in nine starts and 54 innings. His strikeout rate is down to 5.8 per nine innings this season after being at seven Ks per nine innings last season, while his hit rate has skyrocketed from nine per nine innings to 10.5 this year.
Peralta led the staff in 2014 with 17 victories.
To replace him on the roster, the Brewers recalled right-hander David Goforth from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The 26-year-old who was a seventh-round pick by the Brewers out of Ole Miss in 2011 is making his first appearance on an active major league roster.
He was had a 3.43 ERA and 1.333 WHIP in 21 innings over 16 appearances for the Sky Sox, with 18 strikeouts. A 3.43 ERA in Colorado Springs is akin to a 0.12 ERA at sea level (these numbers are approximate).
Goforth worked as a closer at Double-A Huntsville in 2014, notching 27 saves in 54 appearances. He pitched well for the Brewers this spring, allowing one run in 6.1 innings while striking out seven and walking three over seven appearances before he was sent back to the minor league camp. He picked up three saves in four opportunities.
Feb 25, 2014; Maryvale, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher David Goforth (77) throws during a Spring Training inter-squad practice game at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
As far as what to do with Wednesday, manager Craig Counsell said he’s looking at a couple of options, including moving up right-hander Mike Fiers on short rest—he pitched a short outing in Atlanta Saturday—or moving right-hander Michael Blazek into that spot.
“He threw 45 pitches in his last outing. He threw a three-inning outing,” Counsell said of Blazek. “We’ll consider everything as to what would be the best way to get through a game.”
Blazek got the win in relief of Peralta Friday and is 4-1 with a 1.59 ERAS and 1.103 WHIP in 18 appearances and 22.2 innings.
He was used as a starter in spring training before landing a bullpen spot.
If the Brewers opt to go with Fiers a day early rather than a day late (the Brewers are off on Thursday), Peralta’s turn wouldn’t come up again until June 2 in St. Louis, giving the team time to get a minor-leaguer—perhaps Taylor Jungmann—on the right schedule for a recall.
Lucroy X-Rays Positive
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy is just a few days from returning.
Live Feed
Reviewing the Brew
MLB.com reported that X-rays on the All-Star’s broken left big toe were positive and he’s been cleared to begin a rehabilitation stint that he hopes will be of the short, three- to four-game variety.
“I shouldn’t need that much,” Lucroy said. “The pain is gone so it’s more getting my legs under me, getting used to squatting. That’s the most important thing, getting my legs under me and timing [at the plate].”
Counsell wouldn’t commit to a Monday return, when Milwaukee opens a nine-game road trip in St. Louis, but said Lucroy would likely play on the trip, which also includes three-game stops in Minnesota and Pittsburgh.
“He’ll play on the road trip,” Counsell said. “I’m confident of that. I don’t want to say (when) for sure. He’s making big progress every day now. I’m just going to let him make that progress. It has a chance to be pretty soon.”
The Brewers could use Lucroy’s bat back in the lineup—after Monday, Milwaukee is last in the National League with a .226 batting average, .285 on-base percentage, 13th with a .665 OPS and 14th with 382 strikeouts.
Next: Rookie Shuts Down Brewers